bears the Toghra of the reigning Sultan; to the right a fanciful scroll bearing a twig, with blossom, which is the mint-mark of Constantinople. Exergue bears the Turkish figures 24, meaning the 24th year of the happy reign of the Sultan. Legend: 12 stars, surrounded by 12 scrolls, shape of a crescent and outside of it 12 rosettes.

20 PIASTERS OF CONSTANTINOPLE.

Reverse: Struck in Kostantinie, meaning Constantinople. Exergue in Turkish numerals 1255 of the Hegira, and which corresponds with A. D. 1839. Legend: Same as on the ObIts Weight: 371.225 grains. Fineness: 830. Value: $0.87.4224 U. S. gold.

verse.

In A. D. 1860-1861 a new device was adopted for the 20 Piasters Piece; the twig and blossom on the Obverse was removed, and the Exergue bore the Turkish figure 1, meaning the first happy year of the reigning Sultan Abdul-Aziz. The Reverse remained unchanged with the exception of the Exergue, which bears the Turkish figures 1277 of the Hegira, corresponding to our period A. D. 1861.

The 10 Piasters Piece bears the same devices as the 20 Piasters Piece, only in reduced proportion. Its Weight: 185.612 grains. Fineness: 830. Value: $0.43.7112 U. S. gold.

The 5 Piasters Piece or "Vejas Beshlik," same devices as the 20 and 10 Piasters pieces, only reduced in proportion. Weight: 92.806 grains; 830 fine. Value: $0.21.8556 U. S. gold.

The 2 Piasters Piece or "Iklik," same devices as the three aforementioned silver coins and in proportion. Weight: 37.114 grains: 830 Fineness. Value: $0.09.3780 U. S. gold.

The 1 Piaster Piece or " Bir Gersh," sometimes called in Asiatic Turkey "Altmichlik," devices same as the foregoing, with due proportions. Weight according to legal standard: 18.557 grains; but usually varying a few grains. Fineness professed 830; but often only 820 and 825 fine. Value quite nominal at $0.04.393 down to $0.03.85 U. S. gold.

COPPER MONEY OF TURKEY.

The 2 Piasters Piece, or 100 Paras piece, of which we give an illustration, was coined in Constantinople and Cairo in 1187 of the Hegira, under the reign of Mustapha III., corresponding

100 PARAS OF CONSTANTINOPLE.

The Obverse bears the Toghra of the Sultan Mustapha III., the mint-mark and imprint, Kostantinie (Constantinople). Exergue: "1187."

The Reverse bears four lines of inscriptions: 1. Sultan of two lands. 2. Sultan of two seas. 3. Sultan by inheritance, and in the left corner the Turkish numerals 20, meaning the 20th happy year of his reign. 4. Son of a Sultan. Value about 10 cents, but often worth only 9.7 cents.

The Piaster, or Gersh, or 40 Paras, was coined in Constantinople.

The Obverse bears the Toghra, the mint-mark and imprint. The Reverse: Inscription 40 in Turkish numerals. Legend:

The Sultan, son of a Sultan, Servant of the Praised One; may God continue his kingdom. Value quite nominal, varying from 4 to 4 cents U. S gold.

The date on the Turkish coins is always that of the Hegira, or Mahometan Era, and is expressed with the following signs:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 0.

All the inscriptions on the coins read from right to left; but the numerals run in the opposite direction.

The method of arriving at the date on the coins of Turkeyfor most of them bear two dates, that of the Hegira and of the Sultan's reign-is somewhat less lucid to the casual observer. A table giving a key to the same is hereby appended:

Coins bearing the twig and blossom-mark on the Obverse of the Ottoman coins, guarantee the real value of the money. Coins without this mint-mark are of great irregularity in the weight and fineness; and the latter is, in the silver coin especially, exceedingly low. This accounts also for the somewhat large size of silver piasters, yet of so little value.

Quite in contrast with the debasement of coin is the native honesty of the Turkish people. It does not seem to occur to them that any desirable end can be attained by lying or misrepresentation. In trade their fidelity to every verbal agreement is as remarkable as it is creditable. If a Turk promises to de

liver a commodity on a certain day, in a given place, at a stated price, the goods will be on hand, entirely irrespective of the profit or loss that may accrue from the transaction. Neither note nor bond will enhance his punctuality or precision.

TURKISH COINS.

UNITED STATES OF COLOMBIA.

In the year 1819 New Grenada, Venezuela, and Quito were united into an independent government under the name of the United States of Colombia. This union was dissolved in 1829 by the withdrawal of Venezuela, and in 1830 Ecuador, formerly Quito, also withdrew. In 1831 the Republic of New Grenada was organized, but continued to coin money with the name of Colombia up to 1836. There were two mints in operation, one at Bogota and the other at Popayan: the name in full being usually given on the coins, although Bogota is sometimes abbreviated to B. In 1860 a revolution broke out which resulted in the adoption of a constitution, in 1863, by which the several States were united under the name of the United States of Colombia. These States are: Antioquia, Bolivar, Boyaca, Cauca, Cundinamarca, Magdalena, Panama, Santander, ́and Tolima.

The system of money is the same as that of Spain: the gold being the Doubloon and its fractions, the silver the Real and its multiples, and the nickel the multiple of the Centavo. Much of the early money, from the mint of Popayan especially, is below the Bogota standard.

GOLD COINS OF COLOMBIA AND NEW

GRENADA.

1. Doubloon, 1823-36. A female bust of Liberty; the hair confined by a band on which is inscribed "LIBERTAD," Legend: REPUBLICA DE COLOMBIA," and the date in the Exergue.

DOUBLOON OF COLOMBIA (Popayan mint).

Reverse: A fasces in pale, crossed by a bow and arrows, saltiere, between two cornucopias. Above, the name of the mint. Below: "8 E (scudos) U. R" (initials of the mint officer). Weight: 416.5 grains. Fineness: 870. Value: about $15.50, but varying in different years.

2. The Half Doubloon, Quarter, Eighth, and Sixteenth of a Doubloon are similar, only varying in size and each having the abbreviated value in Escudos.

ESCUDO OF POPAYAN.

3. Doubloon of 1837.. A female bust enveloped in a Roman mantle; the hair confined by a band inscribed "LIBERTAD." Legend: REPUBLICA DE LA NUEVA GRANADA," and the date.

Reverse: A pointed shield bearing the arms. Above is a condor and a scroll inscribed "LIBERTAD L ORDEN." Legend: